In this month's Around the Kitchen Table, Marci Konecny won a copy of Too Hot to Handle, a Fiona Silk Mystery by Mary Jane Maffini

Deb Forbes is the winner of the Mystery Lovers Kitchen tote bag from this month's Around the Kitchen Table

Congratulations to Autumn Trapani who won a copy of Mary Jane Maffini's TOO HOT TO HANDLE, a Fiona Silk Mystery.

Congratulations to Sharon F, who won a copy of For Cheddar or Worse, A Cheese Shop Mystery.

Congratulations to Marilyn, who has won a copy of Rhys Bowen's ON HER MAJESTY'S FRIGHTFULLY SECRET SERVICE!

Congratulations to MamaHen who won a choice of book from Daryl Wood Gerber aka Avery Aames.

Congratulations to our 7th Anniversary Photo Contest Winners: Jennifer M, Jana B, Erika L, Nancy S, and Lorraine A! Thanks to ALL for participating. What a blast!!! Here's to lots more years for the MLK gang.

Congratulations to Margo B.and Becky (at) Becky's Place who won gift cards for commenting on blogger Cozy Up with Kathy (Kaminski's) guest post.

Congratulations to 33Wynter who has won a copy of SOWED TO DEATH by Peg Cochran.Congratulations to Diane H. (profhollister at gmail dot com) who has won a copy of SOWED TO DEATH by Peg Cochran.Congratulations to Kelly Braun (Gaelicark at yahoo dot com) who has won a copy of No Farm, No Foul by Peg Cochran!Congratulations to Pat D.patdupuy(at)yahoo who has won a copy of SOWED TO DEATH by Peg Cochran

Congratulations to Judy Weaver, who's won a copy of KALE TO THE QUEEN by Nell Hampton (who is also Nancy Parra)!

Monday, December 2, 2013

Oma's Hungarian Goulash

Victoria Abbott, Cleo Coyle and I have books coming out tomorrow! That's always an exciting day for writers. It's an odd mixture of apprehension and pride, kind of like sending children to their first day of school. You hope they do well, you hope they have everything they need, but they're in someone else's hands now, and you can't really control what will happen next.

So today I'm posting a recipe from MURDER, SHE BARKED. Holly Miller's grandmother, whom she calls Oma, German for grandma, runs the family inn. Oma is American now, but she stills speaks with an accent and imparts her European tastes on the Sugar Maple Inn. They serve breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea at the inn, as well as light dishes by room service. Holly used to visit her grandmother during summer vacations as a child, and one of her favorite meals was Oma's goulash.

Goulash is somewhat similar to stew. It originated in Hungary and always contains paprika. Like a lot of old recipes, the other contents vary depending on what was available in the region where it was being cooked. It can be made with pork or beef, or both. Some people add bell peppers or wine, but the goulash I grew up on was pretty basic.

This should be served over potatoes, but egg noodles can also sop up the delicious sauce.

Heat the oil in a deep pot. Brown the meat and remove. Saute the onions in the same pot, Add the marjoram, garlic, paprika, water, carrots, and meat. Cover and simmer 1 1/2 hours over low heat until the meat is tender.

If you wish to add potatoes, you may cook them in the goulash for the last 1/2 hour. Or, so they won't soak up too much of the sauce, you can cook them in another pot and add them to the goulash for the last five minutes.

The MURDER, SHE BARKED street crew continues to grow! To see all the cuties, hop on over to Pinterest. And leave a comment here today if you would like to enter to win a bandana for your dog or cat!

Thank you for the shout-out, Krista. And a big congratulations on the debut of your new series. The goulash looks tempting, but your street crew wins with their charm offensive. Have a great release day.

Krista, Cleo, and Victoria (MJ), congrats on the new books coming out. Krista, I'm very excited about your new series. What fun it will be getting to know Holly and her merry crew. Happy release day to all TOMORROW.

Just received Murder, She Barked in the mail today. Looking forward to digging in.We do not have any animals (live in a parsonage and do not want to be responsible for one at this time - besides really not having the time an animal deserves), but my granddaughter has 1 dog and 3 cats. She's moved back home where there are 3 other dogs -- quite a houseful (altho 2 of the dogs are strickly outside, one mostly outside, and granddaughter's is mostly inside; and cats are inside.)